Mitokoromono of the Gotō school with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certification

Mitokoromono is a set of Japanese sword fittings including a kozuka, kogai and a pair of menuki. The set has been given the status of "Tokubetsu Hozon" or "Exceptionally Worth Preserving" by the NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai), based in Tokyo.
According to the NBTHK certificate, it was made by the Gotō school. It operated from 1440 until the end of the Edo period (1868). From 1581, the Gotō family was also responsible for minting the ōban gold coin made until 1861, and 1665 for making standardized weights for scales. No one else was allowed to make them. Based on this, one can see how strong the Gotō family's ties to the shogunate were. The set is decorated with a shishi motif - this is a lion-like monster. They are best known as defenders of temples, but also appear very often on the fittings of Japanese swords. They are a symbol of strength, and presented together with peonies, they represent the harmony between strength and beauty. When depicted with small shishi, they symbolize a parent pushing his offspring out into the world.

The set is made of shakudo (copper and gold alloy) and gilded.
Made during the Edo period (1603-1868).
For the set, a wooden box made to fit the hardware.